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A vacant thrift store on Poinsett Highway has a new owner with big expansion plans.

Greenville-based Greenco Beverage Co. announced this week that it plans to build a "flagship distribution center" behind the former Goodwill store.

"During the company's 100th anniversary year, the Greenco Beverage team is excited to partner in the redevelopment of the Poinsett Corridor and to make this part of Greenville a dynamic business location," Greenco President Russell Farr said in a statement.

Greenco purchased the half-acre property at 912 Poinsett Hwy. for $170,000, according to county property records. A 130,000-square-feet distribution facility is expected to break ground this spring and open in late 2016, according to a news release.

Doug Dent, president and CEO of Greenville Revitalization Corp., said the project will bring needed activity to the corridor in the midst of a revitalization effort.

"Everything has been static for so long since the demolition of the Piedmont Shirt Factory," Dent said.

The Revitalization Corp. is the economic development arm of the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, which is working with other entities to reclaim and beautify an area of Poinsett Highway roughly between Rutherford and Furman Hall roads.

"There's been a lot of activity behind the scenes," Dent said, adding that more announcements may be on the way.

Greenco, currently located on Commerce Road off U.S. 25, is a distributor for dozens of non-alcoholic beverage and beer brands, according to the company's website. Among its customers: Sun Drop, Nestle, Yuengling and Thomas Creek Brewery.

Greenco was founded in 1916 as Chero Bottling and Distribution Company and located on Rhett Street in downtown Greenville. It distributed a number of non-alcoholic drinks, including its primary Chero-Cola product — today known as Royal Crown Cola.